NEBRASKAland Magazine is dedicated to outstanding photography and informative writing with an engaging mix of articles and photos highlighting Nebraska’s outdoor activities, parklands, wildlife, history and people.
Issue link: http://mag.outdoornebraska.gov/i/831879
JUNE 2017 • NEBRASKAland 25 Last issue's winner of the Visitor drawing was Frank Condello of Lincoln, Nebraska, who found the soldier termite on page 68. Readers are encouraged to contact NEBRASKAland within 10 days after this issue's publication with the correct page number and name of this issue's "Visitor" – a critter found in Nebraska. We will then gather the correct entries and draw one to win a NEBRASKAland mug. To enter each month, write: NEBRASKAland Visitor 2200 North 33rd Street Lincoln, NE 68503 Or e-mail: Tim.Reigert@Nebraska.gov with "Visitor" in the subject line of the message. HINT: This issue's visitor is not on page 15, 25, 48, 60, 61, 62, or 63. NEBRASKAland Visitor Take the Road Less Traveled By Renae Blum Nebraska's state parks trail system has more than 1,250 miles of some of the most diverse land and water trails to be found anywhere. On Saturday, June 3, we invite you to come explore one for yourself on National Trails Day. Whether you are looking for a short walk or a rugged mountain biking trail, you can find one that will suit your needs. Visit OutdoorNebraska.org/trails for maps and more information. A list of park events scheduled for National Trails Day can be found on the Game and Parks calendar. While you're out and about, don't forget to continue compiling a list of birds you've spotted for the 150 Bird Challenge, which continues throughout the year in honor of Nebraska's 150th birthday. The challenge consists of listing all of the bird species that you see or hear in Nebraska in 2017, with the goal of reaching 150 species. Helpful resources can be found at OutdoorNebraska.org/nebraska150. In addition to spotting birds, keep your eye out for species of butterflies, mammals, reptiles and amphibians. You can find more information about what species to look for, as well as tips on wildlife watching in general, at OutdoorNebraska.org/wildlifeviewing. ■ Two species of termites are native to Nebraska: the eastern subterranean termite (Reticulitermes flacipes) and the arid land subterranean termite (R. tibialis). Termites are social insects, with three distinct castes including workers, soldiers, and reproductive termites. Only the reproductive termites have wings, and are darker in color than the other castes. Workers are pale and blind, spending their lives building mud tubes and foraging for food. Soldier termites have large heads and jaws, as seen in this image, and are responsible for defense of the colony. Termites look similar to ants, but there are some key differences. Termites have straight antennae, while ants are elbowed. Ants have a narrow waist between the thorax and abdomen, but termites do not. Both ants and termites have two pairs of wings, however a termite's wings are all the same length, while an ant's front pair is shorter than the back pair. d June 22 Commission Meeting Nebraska Game and Parks Commission meeting, Scottsbluff June 23 Family Fishing Event Birdwood WMA, North Platte June 24 Nature Center and Shooting Range Grand Opening Wildcat Hills SRA, Gering June 27-29 Outdoor Explorers' Day Camp Nebraska Game and Parks Outdoor Education Center, Lincoln June 28 Family Fishing Event Prairie Queen Recreation Area, LaVista June 29 Family Fishing Event Carter Lake, Omaha Special thanks to Julie Van Meter, State Entomologist, Nebraska Department of Agriculture. Battling rhinos sculpture at Ashfall Fossil Beds near Royal. PHOTO BY JUSTIN HAAG